Fire-resisting container



Dec. 13, 1927.

L. E. CQVER FIRE RESIS'I'ING CON QAYNER 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 1. 1926 M mfl M E I m //M 4 D m;

Dec. 13, 1927. 1,652,853

L. E. COVER FIRE RESISTING CONTAINER Filed Feb. 1, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I mwwmx A Patented Dec. 13, 1927.

UNITED STATES LESTER E. COVER, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 ARMSTRONG CORK COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

IEIRE-RESISTING CONTAINER.

Application filed February 1, 1926.

This invention relates to fire resisting containers, such as safes, vaults, cabinets, and the like, and is directed toward the production of a container which will be relatively lightin weight and at the same time easy to manufacture.

It has heretofore been proposed to construct fire resisting safes of a metal shell and an interior lining of preformed blocks, such as blocks made of diatomaceous earth. These blocks, however, are somewhat expensive, and if a lining of blocks alone is used the cost is almost prohibitive.

It has also been proposed to make a safe with an interior lining which is of a monolithic character, the lining consisting of cement which is cast in place. Safes of this kind are objectionable, however, on account of their extremely great weight. Another objection is that the free water from the ocment has frequently collected in the corners and has resulted in a certain amount of rusting of the shell. These safes are also objectionable in that the free water evaporates in time and the fire resisting qualities of the safes are greatly impaired.

I overcome these difficulties of cost and weight by providing a composite lining formed of preformed material, such as blocks of diatomaceous earth, and a further lining of cast material, such as Portland cement. Preferably, two sets of preformed blocks are employed and the cement is cast between them. The blocks are preferably coated on their adjacent faces with a water roofing. The cast portion of the lining holds the blocks tightly in place, and the blocks protect the metal shells, both inner and outer, from rusting. The water proofing prevents evaporation of moisture from the cast lining and maintains the high fire-resisting qualities of the container indefinitely. Preferably, small spacers, made of the same material as the blocks, are used to separate the two layers of blocks before the cement is cast in place, and nails may be driven through the various blocks to act as a reinforcement.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating more or less diagrammatically one embodiment of my invention:

Figure l is a horizontal section taken on the line I-I of Figure 2;

Serial No. 85,088.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line II-II of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing the construction more in detail.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention there is shown a safe consisting of an outer metal shell 2 and an inner lining 3 between which the fireproofing material is placed. The fireproofing material consists of an outer layer 4 of a preformed material, this layer preferably comprising blocks 5 of diatomaceous earth, the blocks being matched as indicated at 6 in order to provide a substantially continuous lining.

An inner lining 7 is provided, this lining also consisting of preformed blocks of diatomaceous earth, and a space is left between the two linings to be filled with cement. The blocks may be spaced apart, if desired, by filler blocks 8, and, pending the pouring of the cement, the interior blocks may be held in place by nails 9. These nails may be readily driven through and into the blocks without cracking them, and they act as a reinfor-cement for the cement and greatly strengthen the entire lining.

The adjacent faces of the two layers of blocks are preferably given a waterproof coating, such as on oil paint with Portland cement mixed therein. This substantially confines the moisture within the cement and retards or prevents evaporation thereof. It does not prevent the cement from bonding with the blocks.

The cement 10 is poured in and fills the space between the two layers of blocks, as clearly shown in the drawings. The cement is terminated near the opening of the safe and the interior lining 3 and a door jamb 11 are then put in place, the door jamb being indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2. This jamb is filled with cement, as is the usual practice.

In some cases, as when a cement which does not bond with the blocks is employed, it may be desirable to insert a reinforcement, such as wire mesh, between the layers of blocks. \Vhen this is done, the wire should be tied to the blocks at various points, either by the nails 9, or by auxiliary wires fastened to the blocks or held between the joints of the blocks.

' place.

I have illustrated a preferred form of the invention, but it will be understood that it is not limited thereto, since it may beother- Wise embodied within the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

1. A fire-resisting container comprising an outer shell, a lining of preformed inorganic material, a second lining of preformed material spaced from the first lining, and a filler between the linings consisting of a material which is cast in place.

2. A fire-resisting container comprising an outer shell, a lining of preformed matched blocks, a second lining of pre formed inorganic material spaced from the first lining, and a filler between the'linings consisting of a material which is cast in 3. A fire-resisting container comprising an outer shell, a lining of preformed overlapping blocks of inorganic material, a second lining of preformed material spaced from the first lining, and a filler between the linings consisting of a material which is'cast in place.

4:. A fire-resisting container comprising an outer shell, a lining of preformed blocks of diatomaceous earth, a secondlining of preformed'material of diatomaceous earth spaced from the first lining, and a filler between thelinings consisting of a material which is cast in place,

5. A fire-resisting container comprising an outer shell, a lining of preformed blocks of diatomaceous earth, a second lining of preformed material of diatomaceous earth spaced from the first lining, and a filler between the linings consisting of a Portland cement mixture which is cast in place.

6. A fire-resisting container comprising an outer shell, a lining of preformed material, a second lining of preformed material spaced from the first lining, reinforcing my hand.

means extending through the second lining into the first mentioned lining, and a filler between the linings consisting of a material which is cast in place.

7. A fire-resisting container comprising an outer shell, :1 lining of preformed blocks of inorganic material, an inner lining of preformed blocks of inorganic material spaced from the first lining, spacers between the linings for maintaining them spaced apart, and a filler between the linings consisting of a. material which is cast in place.

,8. A fire-resisting container comprising an outer shell,having a door opening therein, a lining of preformed material, a second lining of preformed inorganic material spaced from'the first lining, a filler between the linings consisting of.a material which is ca'stin place, anda door frame fitting into the door opening and covering the several linings and the filler material.

9. A fire-resisting container comprising an outer shell, a lining of preformed blocks, a lining of cementitious material which is cast in place, and a waterproof coating over the face of the blocks adjacent the cast lining.

10. A fire-resisting container comprising an outer shell, a lining of preformed blocks, an inner lining of preformed blocks spaced from the first lining, a waterproof coating over the adjacent faces ofthe two linings, and a filler between the linings consisting of a 'cementitious material which is cast in place. I

11. A fire-resisting container comprising an outer shell, a lining of preformed material, a second lining of preformed material spaced from the first lining, and a reinforced fillerbetween the linings, the filler being cast in place.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set LESTER E. COVER. 

